What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer
SolventGlycereth-26
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingHydroxyethyl Urea
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Trehalose
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Arginine
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Parfum
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningMorus Alba Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHippophae Rhamnoides Extract
MaskingRosa Canina Fruit Extract
Astringent
Persea Gratissima Fruit Extract
EmollientPortulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Pearl Powder
Oligopeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Propolis Extract
Skin Conditioning
Royal Jelly Extract
Skin Conditioning
Honey Extract
Humectant
Water, PEG/PPG-17/6 Copolymer, Glycereth-26, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Panthenol, Trehalose, Betaine, Carbomer, Allantoin, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Arginine, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Beta-Glucan, Parfum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Morus Alba Bark Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Hippophae Rhamnoides Extract, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Persea Gratissima Fruit Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Pearl Powder, Oligopeptide-1, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Propolis Extract, Royal Jelly Extract, Honey Extract
Niacinamide Glycolate 2%
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Junos Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMethylpropanediol
Solvent1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Arginine
Masking
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingPropanediol
Solvent
Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate
EmulsifyingPolyglyceryl-6 Caprylate
EmulsifyingAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Coptis Japonica Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin Conditioning
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil
Masking
Cymbopogon Martini Oil
Masking
Arbutin
Antioxidant
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Tricholoma Matsutake Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
Astringent
Oryza Sativa Extract
Absorbent
Angelica Keiskei Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialHyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Glutathione
Limonene
Perfuming
Geraniol
Perfuming
Niacinamide Glycolate 2%, Citrus Junos Fruit Extract, Methylpropanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Arginine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Allantoin, Carbomer, Propanediol, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate, Adenosine, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Coptis Japonica Root Extract, Panthenol, Tocopherol, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Pogostemon Cablin Leaf Oil, Cymbopogon Martini Oil, Arbutin, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Tricholoma Matsutake Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Oryza Sativa Extract, Angelica Keiskei Leaf/Stem Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glutathione, Limonene, Geraniol
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Allantoin is a soothing ingredient known for its protective and moisturizing properties; it's basically a quiet workhorse ingredient you can find in a huge range of cosmetics.
Though it can be derived from the comfrey plant, allantoin is produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Research shows it can encourage your skin cells to turn over and renew by stimulating keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation.
It also has mild keratolytic properties to help loosen and shed dead skin cells without being harsh.
Studies also suggest allantoin can help calm inflammation by dialing down some of the chemical signals your skin sends out when it is irritated.
This ingredient is typically used in the 0.1-0.5% range, and the FDA recognizes it as a skin protectant in OTC products up to 2%.
Overall, allantoin is a wonderful addition to most routines; it is stable across a wide pH range (~4-8), works well with other ingredients, and is considered non-sensitizing/non-irritating.
Fun fact: Allantoin is naturally occurring in comfrey root, beets, chamomile, and wheat sprouts. Our bodies even produce it as a byproduct of uric acid metabolism.
Learn more about AllantoinArginine is a semi-essential amino acid. This just means our bodies can product a bit on its own, but sometimes needs a little boost from food sources.
It is a part of your skin's natural moisturizing factor (NMF), or the water-loving molecules in your outermost layer of skin (stratum corneum) that keeps everything hydrated and happy.
Here's an interesting thing about Arginine: your skin converts it into urea through the Krebs-Henseleit urea cycle. Urea is one of the most effective humectants your skin naturally produces.
A clinical study showed applying 2.5% arginine hydrochloride to atopic dermatitis skin showed significant urea levels in the stratum corneum and improved moisture in just four weeks.
Arginine is also a precursor to nitric oxide; nitric oxide improves microcirculation and supports wound healing and collagen synthesis.
One study found that an amino acid complex containing Arginine reduced skin irritation, improved hydration, and accelerated skin repair in clinical / in-vivo studies.
Arginine itself is an amino acid and not a fatty acid, oil, or ester. On its own, it's not a direct food source for Malassezia, or the yeast that causes fungal acne.
Learn more about ArginineButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolCarbomer is a high-molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid. It is used to form gels and thicken formulas.
Due to its large molecular size, carbomer has minimal skin penetration and is considered an inert ingredient.
A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.
Learn more about CarbomerDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolThis extract comes from Purslane, a succulent. It has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and hydrating properties.
Purslane is very nutritious. It contains omega-3 fatty acids, NMFs, many vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. The vitamins found in purslane include: Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and Vitamin E.
Fun fact: Purslane is a succulent with an extensive habitat. It is used in traditional Korean medicine to treat irritated skin.
Nowadays, purslane is becoming a superfood due to its highly nutritious content.
Learn more about Portulaca Oleracea ExtractSodium Hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid. It is a long sugar chain that is naturally found in your skin, joints, and connective tissue that maintains hydration and elasticity.
In skincare, it works as a humectant. It pulls water from the environment and deeper layers of skin and binds it to the surface.
Interestingly, the size of the molecule affects its behavior:
Some clinical evidence links low molecular weight versions to improved wrinkle depth, elasticity, anti-inflammatory effects, and barrier repair.
Many serums use a blend of both weights so you can get surface hydration plus longer-lasting and deeper effects.
You'll typically see concentrations between 0.1-2% for this ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate
